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in short, WF flat water DF moving water Both will do both well, just do it a little differently. WF more easily responds to freestyle techniques, bit more room to move about in front of the seat. Handles easy rapids without problems but definitely not as dry of a boat. DF handles wind...

like most boats it wants to point into the wind. Last trip I seemed to have an easier time keeping course down wind and with quartering winds than friends in YSsolo’s

I paddle a Wildfire and Dragonfly (mine are Colden’s). Paddled the D15 plug in 2024 and a Kevlar Fusion version along side a Cirrus this past September. Basically agree with what’s been said here. They’re great boats. The D15 and Cirrus aren’t as lively as the Dragonfly or Wildfire...

16 oz. Nalgene bottle. Purchased in 1991. Spent its first 25 years clipped to a climbing harness (once accidentally dropped off a 400 foot rock face, found the next day hiking out). Last 10 years bouncing between by work bag and day (canoe) pack.

I've had one with me on most every camping trip for years (decades); especially on cool/cold trips. Really helps remove dampness from the tent and even helps dry socks. Never had a fear/problem using in the tent. Not gonna replace a headlamp, but it provides enough light to get by. I've also...

If my trip involves any WW, I use float bags. I was really surprised how low my composite boat floats and how much maneuverability is lost with just a bit of water, and how much of a rock it is when swamped compared to Royalex. The safety against wraps and even just piece of mind is well worth...

I wouldn't rule out composite boats, unless you're paddle serious WW. Gelcoat/resin slides over rocks when royalex grabs 'em. Sounds and feels awful but, surprising how well quality composites hold up. Years ago I bought a royalex Wildfire to save the wear and tear on my composite one...

No problem loading up my Wildfire for a week. Two 70 L bags.

https://www.nrs.com/padz-canoe-foot-support-pads/pad8 Just that little bit of extra support made a difference for me. Used these in my WW boat. Contemplating adding to others but some (minimal) concern about foot entrapment with a bench seat vs pedestal.

I was referring to the plug of the P15 solo as mellow, not the Dragonfly 15…. The DF15 checks all the boxes for an extended river tripper. Retains its maneuverability. (P15 solo seems like a load hauler, fishing platform) The Kee is definitely a lake tripper. Lower sides won’t catch wind like...

I used 30” (closer to 32/33 inflated) in my RX-WF tripping. Have also used my 54” bags on day trips, fit right to the thwarts.

Picked up a Royalex Wildfire (Yellowstone Solo) to save the Gelcoat on my Wildfire. Great boat but I don’t like the differential rocker; lengthened the thwarts a bit to lift the ends which helped. (Esquif Echo is a great boat, doesn’t heel as smoothly but tail doesn’t hang up like a skegged...

The P15solo is a new solo. Prolly 32”(ish) wide, easy to do cross strokes. Flatter bottom, very stable. Gear hauler and good fishing platform prolly. Reminded me of a mellowed out StarFire (I’d like to see that boat come back into production). DF 15 lost the rounded bottom. Really amazing how...

That shouldn’t be a problem…

First of all I love the Wildfire; if I could have only one boat it would be my Colden Wildfire. Design evolution says the Wildfire is a ‘user friendly’ Dragonfly. I find it to have much better initial stability and better glide than the DF. When paddled the DF is faster but slows down when you...

I had the pleasure of paddling the DF 15 plug last Fall, side by side comparison to Dragonfly, Kee 15 and the Prospector 15 solo plug. Amazing design; a lot of fun to paddle. Seemed to carry speed similarly to the Dragonfly, not as nimble. DF 15 tracks better than the Dragonfly and its...

Love my Colden canoes. I’ve been considering a Swift Dragonfly, before they’re gone. Any thoughts on Colden’s Carbon/Kevlar vs Swift options? Specifically, considering their Expedition Kevlar w/Epoxy. Wondering about weights and durability for river tripping, up to Class III. Would love to...

Agree with all the above, especially re: WildFire. Mine’s a Colden (favorite of all my canoes, if I could have only one…) So many great designs, for every intended use… What do you paddle most (rivers, fast or slow; lakes, big or small; or all the above. Day trips or tripping. What do you...

I could be wrong but I believe the earlier models had an extra layer of cloth, before they started using the foam core to save some weight. Not sure which is more durable... Congratulations. The Wildfire is one of the best designed canoes (so far...); If I could only have one boat.. that's IT!